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Tuesday, December 2, 2025

Book Tour + #Giveaway: Kennedy Sloane Gets Scooped by Caila Klaiss @RABTBookTours




Contemporary Women's Fiction/Contemporary Romance

Date Published: November 6th, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing



Faster than details break in a news story, Kennedy Sloane gets scooped.

On a rainy Manhattan afternoon, career-obsessed writer and news producer Kennedy loses the interview that was guaranteed to catapult her to senior producer status. Hours later, revered and feared book editor Muffin Evans, aka the Manuscript Eater, shelves the publication of her promising debut novel.

Over a night of tears and too many glasses of wine, Kennedy responds to an internet ad for a villa on the picturesque island of Hilton Head. She books a five-week “hiatus from life,” to focus on herself, free from distractions.

However, soon after arriving on the island, J.P. Long catches Kennedy’s hesitant eye. Despite a series of serendipitous encounters around the romantic oasis, Kennedy knows there’s no room in her life for a charming professional golfer turned businessman who is battling his own personal and professional insecurities.

But maybe he’s worth the trouble.

If there’s one thing Kennedy’s learned, it’s that life rarely happens as expected, and sometimes, the best stories unfold when you stop chasing the perfect headline.

 

 

Interview with Caila Klaiss

    What is your favorite part of the book?

    My favorite part of the novel is the sense of escapism it provides. When I was writing Kennedy Sloane Gets Scooped it was the dead of winter in northeastern Pennsylvania and I longed for warmer and brighter days. I hope that my readers can feel the warm sunshine on their skin, taste the salt air, smell the pine, and see the vivid sunsets. I hope they can close their eyes for a few minutes and picture themselves sitting on a beach in Hilton Head.

    Does your book have a lesson? Moral?

    I think the novel has a few underlying lessons and morals but one that I continue to take away is to “just breathe.” Life is hectic and chaotic and, for me, it’s easy to get caught up in the moment. I need to work at slowing down. I’ve learned that life is much happier when you have sense of awareness and can enjoy the little things.

    Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?

    When I sat down to write, I didn’t have certain people in mind when developing my characters. But I do think most of my characters are combinations of people- friends, family or simply acquaintances- from my life. I think a lot of fiction writing is drawn from reality and real-life experiences to some degree.

    Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?

    I can honestly say, I don’t think I have a favorite character. While I am probably most similar to Kenny, what I like about my characters is that they are relatable. They have flaws, insecurities and history. I think these are qualities and experiences that help people grow to their fullest potential.

    What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?

    I can’t necessarily say that I wouldn’t get along with Muffin Evans but she wouldn’t be my favorite person. While I wouldn’t have much respect for her approach or delivery, I would respect her as a successful business woman.

    What would the main character in your book have to say about you?

    I think Kennedy Sloane would commend Caila Klaiss for taking a chance and following her dream of becoming a published author.

    Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?

    While I don’t plan to write a series, and do want each of my subsequent books to be able to stand on their own, I’m not ruling out brining past characters into future novels.

    Tell us about your current release.

    Kennedy Sloane Gets Scooped is my debut novel. It’s a charming, easy to read story that has emotional depth. It is a fun, relatable beach read with a protagonist, inadvertently on a road to self-discovery, whom readers will laugh with, cry with, disagree with and root for.

    When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

    From the time I was a little girl, I always loved to write! I studied Journalism in college and spent two decades producing television news. While writing a novel was always a lingering thought in my mind, it wasn’t until about two years ago that I put pen to paper and committed to making that dream a reality.

    Have you published any previous books?

    Kennedy Sloane Gets Scooped is my debut novel!

    What can we expect to see from you in the future, any books on the backburner?

    The biggest lesson I’ve learned from writing Kennedy Sloane Gets Scooped is that I truly love writing. My “ideas” notebook is filled, I’m stocked up with post-It notes and I can’t wait to start my second novel.

    What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

    When I’m not writing or reading, I like to stay active. I practice hot yoga most days and love to squeeze in long- or short walks- whenever possible.

    Did you learn anything from writing your book? What was it?

    The biggest lesson I’ve learned from writing Kennedy Sloane Gets Scooped is that I truly love writing. My “ideas” notebook is filled, I’m stocked up with post-It notes and I can’t wait to start my second novel.

    Some writers have something playing in the background, do you and what?

    My music tastes are very eclectic and my Pandora stations run the gamut! On any given day, I can be tuned into James Taylor, Billy Joel, Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse, Spice Girls, Salt-N-Pepa, Broadway showtunes or Christmas music!

    Tell us a little about yourself. Perhaps something not many people know about?

    While it’s been too long since I’ve last tickled the ivories, I started playing the piano when I was six years old and even had the opportunity to participate in a recital at Carnegie Hall when I was in seventh grade.

    What do you hope your writing brings to your readers?

    I hope my writing provides my readers a temporary escape. I hope they can feel the warm sunshine on their skin, taste the salt air, smell the pine, and see the vivid sunsets. I hope readers can close their eyes for a few minutes and picture themselves sitting on a beach in Hilton Head.

About the Author

 


 A graduate of Fordham University, Caila Klaiss is an award-winning network news producer who spent seventeen years crisscrossing the country to cover breaking and developing stories for platforms across ABC News. The bulk of her career was spent producing true crime documentaries for 20/20.

Since making the difficult decision to leave a career she loved, Caila has pursued her other life-long dream of becoming a writer. When she is not reading, writing, or researching, Caila recharges by practicing yoga.

Born, raised, and currently living in northeastern Pennsylvania, Caila is a New Yorker at heart whose happy place is a warm sandy beach, under a palm tree.


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RABT Book Tours & PR






Book Blitz + #Giveaway: The Champagne Crush by Caroline O’ Connell @ParisRomance @XpressoTours

The Champagne Crush
Caroline O’ Connell
(Les Femmes Series)
Publication date: September 16th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

For fans of Emily In Paris (on Netflix). “Pop the cork on this sparkling romance where champagne dreams and career schemes collide in the vineyards of Napa and the glamour of New York. Catherine Reynolds is ready to reinvent herself, but a flirty CEO, fizzing ambition, and a splash of betrayal shake up her plans. From vineyard drama to high-stakes PR, love and bubbles rise to the top. Perfect for fans of witty banter, slow-burn tension, and second chances with a twist.” —Los Angeles Book Review 

Catherine Reynolds has enjoyed a life of luxury, but her diplomat parents have cut her off financially, leaving her flat broke. She is determined to turn things around and gain her independence—so, when an old family friend offers her a lifeline as a PR consultant for his sparkling wine company, she jumps at the chance. But working with Chris McDermott, the company’s sexy, stubborn president, is anything but easy.

A purist at heart, Chris clashes with Catherine’s glitzy marketing flair; still, the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they travel from New York to Napa, Paris, and the Champagne region of France, their partnership blossoms amid high-stakes industry rivalries and a launch that could make or break them.

When sabotage threatens to shatter their dreams, Catherine must dig deep to prove her worth. With the dazzling unveiling of their new sparkling wine in Bordeaux in jeopardy, will she and Chris overcome the challenges of the past and present to secure their future—and find love in the process?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

Scene in the Champagne Region of France.

Catherine rode up front with Frédéric. The short drive from Trianon to Hautvillers, a picturesque “high village,” took them up a narrow, winding road barely changed for centuries. Along the route, they passed well-preserved ancient buildings, some displaying forged-iron signs from a different era. Frédéric pulled up to the Abbey of Hautvillers. The small historic church overlooked fields of vineyards in the valley below.

“For Champenois,” Frédéric said, “this is considered the birthplace of champagne. Other regions were experimenting with sparkling wine, but this was the place in France, in Champagne.”

He led them to a patio where an ice bucket and three flutes sat on a small table. “Let’s take a moment to savor a good French champagne, while I tell the story.” He pulled a bottle of Moët’s Dom Pérignon out of the ice bucket and opened it. “It’s appropriate to drink this champagne, since Moët & Chandon named their prestige blend after Dom Pérignon.” He filled the flutes. “Let’s toast.”

Frédéric began. In 1668, a young Benedictine monk, Pierre Pérignon, became  cellarmaster of the Abbey at Hautvillers. Dom was a title given to certain Benedictine monks, so he was called Dom Pérignon. At the time, the abbey was making still wine.

Hautvillers, in the Falaises de Champagne, has a cool northern climate. Pérignon noticed when the weather turned warm in spring some bottles of wine became effervescent. By accident, they had gone through a second fermentation, creating bubbly wine. Through trial and error, Pérignon determined that wine yeast went dormant in cold temperatures. In spring, the remaining leftover yeast initiated another fermentation, creating the bubbles.

“We’re talking about a lot of bubbles,” Frédéric said. He explained the bottles couldn’t withstand the additional pressure. Many bottles shattered or the wood plugs popped out, causing spillage. Eventually, Dom Pérignon came up with a cork plug to hermetically seal the bottles, trapping the bubbles in.

“There were still many broken bottles,” Frédéric laughed, “until they devised a way to make stronger bottles.” Future champagne producers learned how to create the millions of bubbles in each bottle by adding yeast to the blended still wine for the second fermentation.

“A sip to celebrate this monk and his gift to the world.” Frédéric lifted his flute. Chris thoroughly enjoyed Frédéric’s description. Catherine seemed mesmerized and made a few notes.

“Pérignon devoted his life to the abbey until he died in 1715,” Frédéric said. “And now, let’s pay our respects.” He led them into the small church to view Dom Pérignon’s tombstone.

They walked back to the car in contemplative silence. Frédéric checked his phone. “We have time to drive by the church in Reims, if you’d like to see it.”

“I’d love to,” Catherine said. “My parents were married at Notre-Dame de Paris, a similar Gothic cathedral.”

Traffic was light. They arrived in Reims, the capital of Champagne, thirty minutes later. Frédéric pulled up to the plaza in front of the cathedral. He gestured to the edifice. “This church has an important historical significance in France. Starting in the thirteenth century, it was chosen for the coronation of French kings”—he paused—“for six hundred years.”

“That’s a long time,” Chris said.

“One of the most famous coronations was the crowning of Charles the Seventh in 1429, attended by Joan of Arc. Jeanne d’Arc, in French,” he added. “Unfortunately, not long after, she was captured by the English and put to death for helping French fighters during the Hundred Years’ War.”

“Sad story,” Catherine said. She stepped out of the car and took a few photos of the facade.

When she got back in, Frédéric drove a few miles to their destination. It was clear the main business of Reims was champagne. Markers indicating numerous champagne houses, including Taittinger and Veuve Clicquot, popped up along the route. Right before the approach to Les Crayères, they passed a sign for Pommery Champagne.

Frédéric pulled into a parking spot. “We’re here.” He got out of the car to see them off.

“Thank you, Frédéric, for making us feel so welcome,” Chris said. “You’ve been a great host and guide.” Chris shook his hand, and Catherine and Frédéric shared air kisses on both cheeks.

“You’ll have to visit us in New York sometime,” Catherine said.

“It’s my dream to go to the US,” Frédéric said. “En tout cas, I will see you in Bordeaux in June.”

“Yes, in two months,” Chris said.

As they walked up to the entrance, Chris stifled the urge to hold Catherine’s hand. She gave him his tie and pulled out a multicolored scarf that she wrapped around her neck.

Chris admired the breathtaking classic French château set in the midst of lush parkland. Yves texted he was running late, so they opted to wait in the bar. After perusing the carte of champagnes by the glass, Chris chose Pommery. Appropriate, since the château was built by that family. A brochure on the table relayed the history.

Les Crayères was built for Louise Pommery, the Duchess of Polignac, in 1904. Decades later, it became a twenty-room château for guests, boasting a gourmet restaurant and luxurious rooms overlooking manicured gardens. One reviewer called it “a Versailles in miniature . . . the stuff of honeymoons and weekend-away liaisons.”

Their flutes were served cold, the way he liked it. They tapped glasses before taking their first sips, very much in sync, like a couple. Chris was starting to sag after a busy day preceded by an early run, but Catherine seemed like the Energizer bunny; that is, if said rabbit wore a short slim dress showcasing killer legs, which he now knew could run like the wind.

Catherine set her glass down. “This is good champagne. Smart choice for the setting. The Pommerys built a lovely château.”

“This place is pretty spectacular,” he agreed, then couldn’t resist adding, “I know who I want to bring here for the two-night stay I won in the auction.”

Excerpt from The Champagne Crush by Caroline O’Connell,
courtesy of SparkPress, an imprint of The Stable Book Group.

Author Bio:

CAROLINE O’CONNELL has written five travel guides and numerous travel articles for magazines, newspapers, and websites. Her Romance In Paris guide has won widespread praise: “There is no better person to guide you through Paris than Caroline” — Peter Greenberg, the Travel Detective, radio host, and Travel Editor on CBS-TV. And Library Journal raved — “Reading this breezy but informative guide to Paris is like having a series of conversations with a well-traveled friend…”

Her debut novel, THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH: A Romance Novel (Spark Press), is due out on September 16, 2025.

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GIVEAWAY!

Champagne for the Holidays Blitz


Book Blitz: The Lonely Prisoner by Michael J Kundu @RABTBookTours




The Michael Fletcher Series, Book 1

An Award-Winning Psychological Thriller


Mystery / Thriller

Date Published: February 26, 2024

Publisher: MindStir Media

 


At just 25 years old, Michael Fletcher is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to 26 years in prison. Despite his desperate pleas of innocence, the system turns a blind eye, leaving him trapped behind bars. But Michael refuses to surrender to fate. Within the sterile confines of his cell, he educates himself, mentors others, and clings to the hope that justice will one day prevail.


Upon his long-awaited release, Michael embarks on a daunting mission to uncover the truth behind his wrongful conviction. Yet, freedom is not what he expected. The world has changed, and shocking revelations force him into a battle against corruption, deception, and the scars of his past. Can he reclaim the life that was stolen from him?


Award Winner in the Psychological Genre of the International Firebird Book Awards


Perfect for fans of John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Michael Connelly.

          • High-stakes legal drama
          • Powerful themes of injustice, resilience, and redemption
          • A thought-provoking journey through the flaws of the justice system

Keep reading The Michael Fletcher Series with Accused Again – Freedom Was Just the Beginning

 

About the Author

 

 Michael J. Kundu was born in London, Great Britain, in 1969 to an Indian father and a German mother. He has lived in various places in Europe. His love for reading has prompted him to write this book giving this crime novel more than an edge of mystery and suspense, but also a contemporary perspective on life.

He has a great passion for learning languages and travelling across the globe. He enjoys spending time with his family and lives in Luxembourg with his Italian wife and two teenage children.

My multinational background, coupled with my marriage to someone of a different nationality, has endowed me with a wealth of diverse experiences. Having traversed the globe, speaking multiple languages and immersing myself in various cultures, the profound value of each individual has become a cornerstone of my worldview. These multicultural encounters have not only fostered a deep appreciation for the uniqueness of every person but have also instilled in me a commitment to promoting mutual respect, free from the shackles of prejudice related to color or religion. In composing my book, these experiences have permeated not only this narrative …but also the forthcoming sequel.


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RABT Book Tours & PR

Cover Reveal: Escape from Faerie by Jamie A. Waters @booksbyjawaters @XpressoTours

Escape from Faerie
Jamie A. Waters
(The Dragon Portal, Prequel)
Publication date: February 19th, 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

The Hunt begins the moment blood is spilled…

The Unseelie queen is dead—murdered before Sabine’s eyes. And the princess is the one being hunted for the crime.

Sabin’theoria, heir to the Unseelie throne, never expected to watch her mother die beneath the shadowed boughs of the Silver Forest. But truth and illusion twist together, and whispers of regicide spread faster than fire.

Betrayal in Faerie always comes at a deadly price…

Pursued by the Wild Hunt and betrayed by her own people, Sabine has only one choice: run. Every step beyond Faerie’s borders carries her closer to exile, but also deeper into a deadly game of vengeance and lies.

Because no one dares accuse the Seelie king of murder and survives long enough to tell the tale.


Author Bio:

Jamie A. Waters is an award-winning fantasy romance author and dragon enthusiast. Weaving together magic, intrigue, and some delicious romance, she creates memorable and immersive worlds that provide the perfect escape. Her books feature strong, capable heroines and their swoon-worthy heroes who will stop at nothing to save the day.

Jamie currently resides in Florida with two neurotic dogs who enjoy stealing socks. When she's not pursuing her passion of writing, she's usually trying to learn new and interesting random things (like how to pick locks or use the self-cleaning feature of the oven without setting off the fire alarm). In her downtime, she enjoys reading, playing computer games, painting, or acting as a referee between the dragons and fairies currently at war inside her closet.

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Review Tour + #Giveaway: The Nameless Land by M. Laszlo @AuthorMLaszlo @GoddessFish



THE NAMELESS LAND

M. Laszlo

GENRE: Psychological Drama


Blurb:

This metaphysical novel, like its predecessor, Anastasia’s Midnight Song, is a mix of stream of consciousness narration and imaginary happenings. Mystical and mysterious, The Nameless Land follows the misadventures of Rupert Lux and Anastasia T Grace.

Rupert, a young New Zealander working as a night clerk in a hotel in Sinai, is beset by a daemon that inhabits his eye. His delusion is much the same as Anastasia’s was when she was tormented by the Arctic fox and the diadem spider in the earlier book.

Anastasia, now blind, travels to Sinai at the behest of a Spiritualist Society to seek hidden treasure by dowsing. She longs to find someone she can heal and love. Perhaps Rupert is the one she can save and thereby save herself.

But Rupert is plagued by females who seem to blend into one another and appear and disappear at will. Traumatised by childhood abuse, he worries that he is not worthy of love. He races headlong through many strange encounters, while Anastasia maintains a calmer stance, though troubled by what she is being coerced into doing. She has been urged to find lost Egyptian treasure and, though reluctant, manages to do so. A sense of menace attends the discovery.

Both protagonists are troubled by wild imaginings and beset by odd visions, smells, sounds, and touches as the pair descend into hallucinatory madness. This is a fast-paced metaphysical adventure, the events hiding many layers of emotional turmoil and insanity. The reader is whisked through a dreamlike landscape, disoriented, and made to experience a kind of madness themselves.



Excerpt:


Late that Night.

Rupert awoke to the sound of panting coming from outside. For a moment, he wondered if the party in question might be an excited dog. A strong gust rippled through the rooftop, and the heavy breathing grew louder—as if the creature had dared to draw near. Sure enough, a swift, elongated silhouette passed by the sick tent’s east wall. And the visitor boasted a cone-shaped horn. I’ll be damned, Rupert thought. He wondered if the entity might be some mythical beast. When he sat up, he checked to see if anyone else were awake. No, I’m the only one. He rubbed his right eye for a while before creeping outside—where the wild nighttime breeze played through his nightshirt.

At last, he dragged himself around the corner: the mysterious presence proved to be a jackal. He focused on the anomalous horn itself and made the sign of the cross. It’s a miracle. What a beauty, too, the extraordinary beast: it had a pelt that shone a creamy gold streaked with magnolia white. Awestruck, Rupert bowed to the godlike animal. ‘Hello.’

The jackal twitched its long, pointed ears. As if enthralled, the creature shook and shivered. Had it detected the presence within Rupert’s eyeball? Before long, the jackal retreated down the moonlit path before pausing to shoot him a backward glance.

He twitched his moustache. ‘You wish to show me something? Or maybe you wish to teach me the laws of the jungle. Or maybe you wish to bring me to a proper field hospital, eh?’

The jackal emitted a lonesome howl, soon answered by a distant chorus of howls. When the others grew quiet, the jackal panted anew and guided Rupert far beyond the sick-tent grounds.


My Review:

The Nameless Land is an incredible addition to M. Laszlo’s narrative featuring Anastasia T Grace. This installment pulled me into its universe even faster than its forerunner, Anastasia’s Midnight Song, as I was eager to discover more about Anastasia’s existence and the spider she believes resides within her.

The Nameless Land was also somewhat perplexing, leaving me questioning what was genuine and what was imagined. One thing is certain: Anastasia and Rupert’s daemons felt real to them.

They have coexisted with their daemons for an extensive period. I can only speculate on what they might have done or be willing to do to free themselves from their affliction. Conversely, they might also fear the consequences of successfully ridding themselves of these entities.

The Nameless Land explores the complexities of someone burdened by a very dark history. It reflects the aftermath of a traumatic experience from their past. It illustrates their struggle to confront their history and attempt to progress while being hindered by the torment of their daemons.

The Nameless Land captivated me from the very first page. The world-building is incredibly engaging, drawing me deeper into its realm. The writing is exceptionally crafted. The Nameless Land is a beautifully penned tale with much to convey if given the opportunity.

I wholeheartedly recommend The Nameless Land to anyone who enjoys psychological narratives. Be sure to grab a copy of The Nameless Land today!


Author Bio


M. Laszlo is the pseudonym of a reclusive author living in Bath, Ohio. According to rumor, he based the pen name on the name of the Paul Henreid character in Casablanca, Victor Laszlo.

M. Laszlo has lived and worked all over the world, and he has kept exhaustive journals and idea books corresponding to each location and post.

It is said that the maniacal habit began in childhood during summer vacations—when his family began renting out Robert Lowell’s family home in Castine, Maine. Rumor has it he still possesses those childhood diaries and plans to release a trilogy set in the Pine Tree State.

The habit continued into the 1980s when he lived in London, England (the summer of 1985.) The idea books and journals from that summer inspired his first work The Phantom Glare of Day published by the hybrid Spark Press in 2022.

The habit continued into the 1990s when he lived in the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem and worked as a night clerk in a Palestinian youth hostel. In recent years, he revisited that very journal/idea book and based Anastasia’s Midnight Song and The Nameless Land on the characters, topics, and themes contained within the writings.

At the end of the decade, M. Laszlo attended Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York and earned an M.F.A degree in poetry. During his time in New York, he kept the idea books and journals that formed the basis of his second release, On the Threshold, published by the acclaimed Australian hybrid now known as Alkira. That house released Anastasia’s Midnight Song on 17 January 2025. The Nameless Land serves as a stand-alone sequel and releases on 5 December 2025.

M. Laszlo has lived and worked in New York City, East Jerusalem, and several other cities around the world. While living in the Middle East, he worked for Harvard University’s Semitic Museum. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio and an M.F.A. in poetry from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York.



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